By: Maria Ward-Brennan

Professional Services Editor Maria Ward-Brennan is the Professional Services Editor at City AM, focused on law, Big Four, and other management and accounting consulting firms. She was previously a litigation reporter at The Lawyer. Contact her via email at maria.ward-brennan@cityam.com or X (Twitter) @MariaW_B.

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Close Brothers shares collapse after FCA auto finance probe forces it to scrap dividend

February 15, 2024

Shares in Close Brothers have collapsed after it scrapped dividend payouts for the current financial year and put 2025 rewards under review, with the group bracing for potential compensation costs from a motor finance review by the City watchdog. The news sent the group’s shares down 28 per cent in London on Thursday morning. Close [...]
Relx revenue jumps as demand for the firm’s AI tools and data analysis surges

February 15, 2024

Tech group Relx's revenue surpassed £9bn in the 2023 financial year as the company benefitted from the growth of information-based analytics and decision tools.
SFO chief wants to pay whistleblowers – but City lawyers warn policy faces hurdles

February 14, 2024

City lawyers have warned that implementing a policy of paying financial crime whistleblowers rewards in the UK won't be straight forward and faces a number of legal and cultural challenges.
Mastercard and Visa are back in court over interchange fees

February 14, 2024

The lawsuits allege that Mastercard and Visa both acted unlawfully by overcharging businesses for accepting credit and debit card payments on corporate and consumer cards.
Clifford Chance: London magic circle law firm brings in long-time Accenture finance boss

February 14, 2024

Magic circle law firm Clifford Chance has hired a new chief financial officer from professionals service firm Accenture. Daniel Burton is set to join the law firm mid-June, and will take over from its current global CFO Patrick Glydon who is retiring in July. Glydon was in the CFO role at the magic circle for [...]
Marks and Spencer Oxford Street row: Court told Michael Gove ‘misunderstood and misapplied’ planning policy

February 13, 2024

The Secretary of State for levelling up “misunderstood and misapplied” planning policy when it rejected Marks and Spencer Oxford Street demolition scheme, a judge heard. Today, the High Court heard a judicial review by Marks and Spencer over the Secretary of State for levelling up , Michael Gove MP, decision to refuse planning permission for [...]
Hogan Lovells: US-UK law firm’s revenue jumps 10 per cent and surpasses £2bn

February 13, 2024

American-British law firm Hogan Lovells global revenue has jumped nearly 10 per cent over the last financial year, which sees the firm surpassing £2bn for the first time. Over 2023, the firm generated £2.15bn in revenue, which was up from the £1.97bn it posted over the previous year. In terms of its practices, its corporate [...]
Google in talks to participate in Lloyd’s of London captive syndicates

February 12, 2024

US tech giant Google is reportedly in talks to participate in the City's insurance and reinsurance market via a captive.
RSM and Quantuma alleged to be involved in the tip-off scandal at Insolvency Service

February 12, 2024

It is alleged that employees at an accounting firm and a corporate advisory group received tip-offs from staff at the Insolvency Service.
SFO boss to promise more dawn raids and swifter action to tackle fraud

February 12, 2024

The head of the UK's anti-fraud agency will set out his vision for a "bolder, pragmatic, more proactive" prosecutor this week in his first public speech since taking up the position late last year.

Gordon Brown returns to government as Starmer shrugs off resignation calls

Promotion to Champ could be worth millions as Blackheath fight to go up

Polestar 3: Swedish electric SUV delivers premium performance

By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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